Serendipitous Chapter 21 A

Tyler and Rebeka met 123 days ago. (I put this here because I only post once a week or twice a week, so it seems much longer. This will NOT be in my manuscript.)

Previous Post:

"Are you sure I'm not causing a disruption to your life?"

"To be honest my life has changed since you're in it, but only in a good way. I wouldn't change a thing."

"Really?"

"Honestly. Now, go to sleep. Goodnight."

"Ty?" When his eyes met hers, she said, "Goodnight."

Tyler put his arm around Rebeka and drew her closer. "Goodnight. We'll talk in the morning."



TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 21 A
Jakob is 4 days old

Tyler rolled over and turned on the lamp on his nightstand. "Buttercup, what are you doing? It's four-thirty. The middle of the night."

"I just finished pumping and thought I'd lay out my clothes. I don't want to make you late in the morning."

"Get back to bed. If we're a few minutes late, it's no big deal." He saw fear in her eyes. "I'm not your dad. If you're running late, nothing will happen. I promise."

When Rebeka sat on the bed, he said, "Come here and try to go back to sleep. You just delivered a baby and you're nursing." She started to say something, but Tyler kissed her forehead. "Shh, relax and go back to sleep." He hummed, 'The Keeper of the Stars' as Rebeka drifted to sleep.

*****
Tyler used the bathroom while Rebeka pumped. When he finished, she rushed inside. "I'll hurry and be downstairs in a few minutes."

He stood in front of her and put his hands on her shoulders. "I told you last night, well incredibly early this morning, there's nothing to worry about. I meant it."

*****
Almost thirty minutes later, Rebeka entered the kitchen. "I couldn't find the cooler." She held up the night's worth of breast milk."

Elizabeth stood. "It's in the kitchen. I washed it."

"Thank you. I'll get it."

Tyler held her chair. "Aunt Beth's got it. Sit and eat."

Rebeka sat. "I delivered a baby. I don't need to be waited on."

"True, but it doesn't hurt to accept help."

"When can I see Jakob again," asked Lily.

"I have a busy day today," answered Elizabeth. "Why don't we plan on going to the hospital tomorrow afternoon?"

"That sounds like a good idea," said Tyler. He took the last drink of his coffee. "Aunt Beth, can I have half a cup?"

"I'm done." Rebeka laid her fork on her plate.

"You're not finished. I think I've mentioned we have plenty of time."

*****
It drew closer to time to leave so Tyler lifted Lily. "Behave and listen to Aunt Beth."

"Will Mr. Pete have time for me to help in the barn today?"

"He should but wait for Aunt Beth to make sure." Tyler gave Lily a big hug and kissed her cheek. "I'll see you after work."

Lily squeezed his neck. "I love you, Uncle Ty."

"Love you more."

Tyler still held Lily as Rebeka hugged her. "Bye, Sweetheart. I'll see you this evening too." She kissed her cheek.

"Aunt Beka, hug Jakob for me. Tell him I can't wait to hold him, and I love him."

"I know he can't wait for you to hold him, and he loves you too."

Tyler set Lily down and grabbed the cooler. "Ready?"

Rebeka nodded, as Tyler put his hand on the small of her back and led her to the garage.

*****
In NICU, Tyler picked up Jakob. "Little guy, it looks like you're doing great. It feels like you're gaining weight." He handed the baby to Rebeka and then picked up Jakob's chart and read it.

Rebeka watched Tyler. "How's he doing?"

"Everything looks good." He replaced the chart. "I'll try to find some free time to visit with you two. If not, I'll see you for lunch." He hugged her and kissed her cheek. "If you need anything text me."

*****
Jakob had been nursed and was napping when Rebeka received a text from Tyler. "I'm stuck in a meeting. Go ahead to the cafeteria. I should be there before you're finished."

Rebeka went ahead and chose her lunch and drink and then input Tyler's code. The young cashier said, "Ma'am, I'm positive you're not Dr. Butler."

"I'm his wife. He told me to use his code."

"There's no way you're his wife." The cashier took Rebeka's tray and set it aside. "I need to make a call." She pointed. "Stand over here."

It wasn't long before a uniformed man from hospital security arrived. The cashier described the problem.

Rebek said, "Please call my husband, Dr. Butler. I'm sure he'll explain I have his permission to use his code."

It wasn't long before Tyler walked into the cafeteria.

Rebeka saw her husband and started toward him. The security guard said, "Ma'am, you're being detained. You need to remain here."

Tyler's jaw tensed and jutted forward. "What's the problem?"

Rebeka hung her head as she chewed on her bottom lip.

The cashier stated, "This lady says she's your wife and tried to use your code. I don't believe you'd be married to somebody like her."

"Rebekais my wife. Her driver's license would provide her name and address. Did you check it?"

"Sir, we did but they can be forged." The guard handed Rebeka's license to Tyler."

Tyler noticed a tray set aside. "Is that my wife's?" When the cashier indicated it was, he continued, "Please provide her with fresh food. I also demand an apology."

Samuel, the hospital president, stepped closer. "I heard there's a problem." He offered his hand to Rebeka. "I'm sorry you had to go through this. I'll personally make sure it doesn't happen again." He faced Tyler. "Our meeting's finished. Spend time with your wife."

Tyler offered Rebeka his hand and took her refreshed tray with his other hand. "Let's sit over here. It's more private."

After they sat in silence for a few moments and Rebeka refused eye contact, Tyler said, "I'm getting lunch. Do you want anything else?"

She didn't look at him, but whispered, "No."

*****
Tyler got his lunch and sat. "You still haven't touched your food." He took a sip of coffee. "I think it'd help if you talked with me."

"I'm sorry I embarrassed you in front of everybody. Even your boss knows about it."

"Buttercup, you didn't embarrass me. You did nothing wrong. The cashier is the one who messed up. I gave you permission to use my code."

"She didn't believe you'd be married to somebody like me. I'm not in your social class."

"NO!" Tyler lowered his voice, "Sorry, I didn't mean to be loud. I don't want you to ever think you're not in my class." He pointed toward the cashier. "You have more class than she ever thought about."

Rebeka's eyes met his. "Thank you, but you're too kind."

He studied her tray. "Please eat. Jakob's going to be hungry soon."

She lifted her grilled ham and cheese sandwich, took a nibble, chewed, and swallowed. "Happy?"

"Maybe the next bite can be a little larger, you think?"

"I'll try."

"Good." Tyler checked his beeper. "I need to make a call." He walked away.

When he returned, Rebeka had finished most of her sandwich and part of her salad. "I'm glad you ate something."

"Do you need to leave?"

"I've got a few minutes. They're prepping a patient for gallbladder surgery."

"You're an ER doctor."

"I'm the most qualified doctor on staff, right now. We're a midsized hospital and are struggling for staff."

"Is there anything you can't do?"

"A lot really." Tyler lifted her empty tray. "I'll walk you back to Jakob."

"To make sure I don't cause any more problems?"

"Not at all. Because first, I want to spend more time with my wife and second, to see our son."

"Thank you."
*****
Tyler left NICU and a nurse walked up to him. "Dr. Butler, can I speak with you?"

"I'm needed in surgery. Can it wait?"

"Not really. I should have said something Saturday when I saw it but chickened out. Yesterday I was off."

"Can we walk and talk?"

"Not really walk. I think you'll agree this needs to be kept between us."

Tyler stepped into a vacant room. "What's so important?"


~~~~~

Rebeka Miller - our heroine, she's twenty -two, a romance award winning author, extremely old fashioned

Dr. Tyler Butler - 'Ty' an ER doctor, raising his niece, Lily.

Jakob Tyler Butler - Rebeka's baby from a forced pregnancy.

Richard Stuart - Rebeka's agent and rich spoilt brat, a not nice person

Amber Wilson - Rebeka's personal assistant and best friend

Peter Dawson - Tyler's friend and part-time ranch hand

Elizabeth - 'Aunt Beth', helping raise Lily and helped raise Tyler after parents died

Christina - Elizabeth's close friend

Lily - 'Missy', Tyler's niece, 5 years old

Lori - Tyler's deceased sister and mother of Lily

Zeke - Golden Retriever mix, family dog

Roger Whitmore - a lawyer and Tyler's best friend

Dr. Heather Sharp - OB/GYN and Tyler's childhood friend

Ruth and Elijah Miller - Rebeka's parents